The saga of Rio Ferdinand's missed drugs test should move a step further forward today with the defender finally expected to respond to a Football Association charge.
The Manchester United and England centre-back was sent a letter by the FA on October 29 outlining the accusation against him - a "failure or refusal to submit to drug testing". The letter came after he was absent for an examination by UK Sport testers at United's Carrington training ground on September 23. However, with the letter not arriving until the following morning, the 14-day deadline means Ferdinand has until 5pm today to tell the FA what his plans are. When the charge was first laid, United made it clear the player would be requesting a personal hearing. An end to the investigation is far from in sight though, proving once again how slowly the wheels of justice turn at Soho Square. The conduct of the Ferdinand case has drawn criticism from both Fifa president Sepp Blatter and World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound. Over seven weeks have passed since Ferdinand missed his test and the FA are under pressure to act as soon as they receive his response. But the legal minefield which surrounds the case - and the row simmering between United and the FA on this issue and Sir Alex Ferguson's 'fix' allegations on Arsenal's punishment after the Battle of Old Trafford - means both sides are striving to ensure they have all their bases covered. The wording of Ferdinand's charge to include "refusal" indicated the FA believed there was a deliberate element to Ferdinand missing the test. If Britain's most expensive player is unable to convince the FA disciplinary panel he simply forgot UK Sport had asked to test him, a ban is virtually certain. A two-year suspension is the maximum punishment although around three months would be more likely. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. Free s/h on orders $50 or more to the US & Canada. http://www.c1tracking.com/l.asp?cid=5511 http://us.click.yahoo.com/mOAaAA/3exGAA/qnsNAA/tsUolB/TM ---------------------------------------------------------------------~-> *************************************** Reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe from the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
